NLC President Joe Ajaero’s Abduction: One Year On, Justice Still Denied

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The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) President, Joe Ajaero, abducted in November 2023 in Imo State, still awaits justice. Despite accusations of assault and kidnapping against Imo State’s Governor and police, Ajaero’s ordeal underscores the ongoing struggle for worker rights in Nigeria.

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has marked a somber anniversary, noting that it has been a full year since the alleged abduction, assault, and brutal treatment of its President, Joe Ajaero, by state agents in Imo State. On November 1, 2023, Ajaero was reportedly taken against his will in Owerri, Imo’s capital, and subjected to harsh treatment that left him hospitalized for months. Despite numerous appeals for justice, the NLC asserts that Ajaero’s alleged abductors have yet to face any legal consequences, highlighting a broader issue of governmental hostility toward labor leaders in Nigeria.

The incident began as Ajaero led a protest to draw attention to pressing issues affecting Nigerian workers in Imo. Among the primary grievances were unpaid salaries, withheld pension arrears, and the overall poor working conditions faced by public servants in the state. Ajaero and the NLC believed that all necessary legal requirements were met before initiating the protest, including the formal notification of state authorities. However, in an unexpected turn, Ajaero was detained, an event he later characterized as a direct assault on his rights and those of the NLC.

Ajaero alleged that both the Governor of Imo State, Hope Uzodimma, and the state’s Commissioner of Police were directly involved in his abduction and subsequent ordeal. He recounted being “brutalized and left for dead” by state agents who detained him. The incident drew significant outrage, with the NLC decrying the assault as a violation of not only Ajaero’s individual rights but also the rights of Nigerian workers more broadly. For Ajaero, this treatment was unprecedented in Nigeria’s recent history and represented a level of cruelty and impunity “not even seen during the military era.”

According to the NLC, Ajaero’s detainment was not only illegal but also underscored the Imo State government’s hostility toward the labor movement and its leaders. The union believes that the incident is part of a wider trend of government resistance to labor rights advocacy, a stance the NLC claims is undemocratic and unjust. For the NLC, Ajaero’s suffering has become a powerful symbol of the broader struggle for workers’ rights in Nigeria and the ongoing repression of those who dare to challenge government actions.

Ajaero’s condition following his release was severe. The Nigeria Police reportedly handed him over to medical personnel at the Police Clinic around 4:30 p.m., underscoring the gravity of his injuries. From there, he was later transferred to the Federal Medical Centre in Owerri for further treatment. His injuries were so extensive that it took over six months of medical care, both within and outside Nigeria, before he fully regained his vision and physical mobility. Even after his physical recovery, the psychological toll and the persistent harassment from state agents have lingered.

In a statement released by Benson Upah, Head of Information and Public Affairs at the NLC, it was revealed that the challenges did not end with Ajaero’s recovery. In August 2024, the intimidation intensified when Ajaero was summoned by the police to address allegations of terrorism financing, subversion, and treasonable felony. In a dramatic escalation, he was detained at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja while en route to a conference in the UK, where he was questioned and prevented from leaving the country.

The NLC’s frustration over the situation remains palpable. The organization has highlighted the apparent indifference of both state and federal authorities in addressing the assault on Ajaero. It has called out the failure of security agencies to hold those responsible to account, despite promises from the National Security Adviser (NSA) to investigate and bring the perpetrators to justice. The union further claimed that this assurance from the NSA was a key reason it suspended the nationwide protest that was planned in the aftermath of Ajaero’s alleged abduction.

As the year mark passed, Ajaero issued a public statement, reaffirming his commitment to the NLC’s mission and assuring Nigerian workers that he remains “unbroken and unbowed.” While he acknowledged the pain and ongoing struggle, he emphasized that he is resolute in his determination to fight for the rights of workers across Nigeria. “One year after my ordeal, I remain committed to serving Nigerian workers, despite the challenges,” he declared. His words were intended as a rallying cry for the labor movement, asserting that intimidation will not deter him or the NLC from their mission.

The incident has raised serious concerns about the state of democracy in Nigeria, particularly regarding the rights of citizens to protest and the responsibilities of the government to respect those rights. For many, the NLC’s account of the events surrounding Ajaero’s detainment paints a troubling picture of the current climate in Imo State. Labor leaders and human rights advocates have voiced fears that such actions could create a dangerous precedent, discouraging other activists and workers from voicing legitimate concerns.

Despite this, the NLC has vowed to continue its advocacy and to resist any attempts to silence its leadership. In its statement, the union emphasized that it “will not be cowed by intimidation, harassment, or assault from the government.” It demanded that state agents must be held accountable to prevent such incidents from recurring. According to Upah, this resolve is not only about protecting Ajaero but also about safeguarding the rights and dignity of all Nigerian workers.

As it stands, the NLC insists that the ordeal faced by Ajaero should serve as a stark reminder of the need for accountability and the protection of basic rights in Nigeria. The Congress has reiterated its commitment to standing firm, regardless of government pressure, and expressed hope that justice will eventually be served. The organization’s determination to continue its work, undeterred by intimidation, underscores its central mission: to defend the rights and dignity of Nigeria’s working class.